Any good events in Ireland in Sept?

Subject: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 08:17 PM

I'm planning to do a bit of a wander round the quieter bits of Ireland in September, with a focus on song/music. Anyone know of any good local song sessions, festivals, workshops, gigs, etc taking place anywhere?

At the moment, it's a blank canvas - so would also welcome any recommendations as to which areas I'm likely to come across some good playing/singing. Not interested in "Celtic" stuff, or things put on specifically for tourists.

Thanks
Sue

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Declan
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 08:24 PM

Off the top of my head there is the Frank Harte memorial week-end in Dublin (mostly trad singing) and the Cork Folk Festival in September. Probably many others. Given the way the economy here has gone recently nothing is certain to go ahead this year, but I think those two are fairly safe bets. I'll check out some dates and come back with more details. If your start date is a little bit flexible then the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil held in Tullamore this year on the UK August Bank Holiday week-end could be worth checking out.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Declan
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 02:04 PM

Frank Harte festival is on 25th-27th September. Cork Folk Festival which is normally in September is on this year on October 4th-7th.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 02:10 PM

There's always the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival! It's a lovely little town, whether or not you're looking.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 02:42 PM

Tulla is on from, 11-13

Martin Hayes & Denis Cahill play on the 12th, singing session with Robbie McMahon & Nora Butler on the 13th, among other things. Nora Butler does singing workshop on Sat. 13th.

Avoid the Matchmaking festival like the plague.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 02:44 PM

I should have added the Tulla festival website

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 07:14 PM

Thanks Declan, Anima, Peter - I'll be checking out all these soon.

Peter - why avoid the matchmaking festival? sounds intriguing! and might I not meet my true love there then? :)

Sue

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: michaelr
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 08:14 PM

Corrected link: Tulla Trad Festival

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 04:58 AM

The Matchmaking link animaterra posted is actually hilarious, and right to the point too. hehe.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 02:17 PM

Omigod.......how very disappointing....... :)

Will just have to make do with Tulla, which does sound lovely..... any more ideas?

Thanks
Sue

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 03:35 PM

Plenty of regular music in Clare. We have regular sessions in town, Jackie Daly every fridaynight if you're into it. But if you want events, there Nell Galvin in Moyasta from 4-6 september. Don't expect too much, it's a noisy local pub but they dance a good set and they get nice musicians in generally. In fact I think I am expected to make an appearance myself.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 08:39 PM

Would like to hear details of any good sessions happening, particularly song sessions.

Thanks

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Frank_Finn
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 09:20 PM

If you are looking for singing and your schedule is a wee bit flexible, why not combine Frank Harte festival on 25th-27th September, followed by our Sligo Traditional Singing weekend from 2nd to 4th October in Sligo town. See Sligo Traditional Singers Circle
Special accommodation rates

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 03:51 AM

"Avoid the Matchmaking festival like the plague."
Seconded
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 07:09 AM

Oooo begorrah, Jim, there you are.... what happened to the list you promised me? ;)

Thanks Frank, the FHF does sound good. I'd love to go to Sligo or Cork, but probably will need to be away home before that. Has to be Sept dates really.

Sue

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 07:42 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 09:08 AM

You have some good tips, here, sue. Maybe they will work out.

When we visited Ireland, we found that a good way way to find traditional music was to ask hotel management what was going on locally.

===
Reading between the lines, the thing at Lisdoonvarna sound pretty dicey.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: MARINER
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 04:15 PM

I agree that the Matchmaker Festival is best avoided but there are still some fine sessions in Lisdoon around that time .

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 07:12 PM

Mariner

Could you give me any details?

Thanks

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 02:15 AM

"Could you give me any details?"
I was about to ask that.
It occured to me - there is a singing session in Kinvarra on the first Monday of every month frequented by Martin Ryan (Green's Pub?).
The Goilín meets in Dublin on Friday nights at the Teacher's Club in Parnell Square and The Clé Club on Wednesdays in Liberty Hall.
The Knockroughery Singers Circle meets regularly (website for information), and there is something regularly in Bray (George Henderson). Also a regular session in Cork City in the Spalpín Fánac (opposite the old (and now sadly defunct) Murphys Brewery)
Jim McFarlane in Derry is involved in a regular singing session there (no details, but I'm sure he put them up on Mudcat not too long ago).
There is music every night in The Crane in Galway City (not sure about singing, but Martin Ryan will be).
Alongside The Matchmaking Festival - if someone mentions Doolin - think twice. Used to be one of the nicer places when the Russells were alive, but last time we were there it was all cowboy hats and 12-string Kalashnikovs.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 03:37 AM

'Could you give me any details'

There's music in The Roadside Tavern. Don't know who they have at the moment, Davy Spillane and Paul Dooley maybe. You said you didn't want 'any thing put on', didn't you?

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Bren Ború
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 11:12 AM

In Ireland music is king and most sessions are focused on the music rather than singing. Finding a good singing session can be quite difficult. There are several monthly sessions around the country (e.g. Sligo, Roscommon, Cork). In the Dublin area there is Bray on third saturday of every month, Howth on first thursday of every month and 2 weekly sessions (Goilin on fridays and Clé Club on wednesdays).

Clé Club is well worth a visit. They have a Pete Seeger theme night on 9th Sept. and some great guests lined up for the following 3 weeks so make sure you get along to at least one of them. See clelub.wetpaint.com/page/Dates for details.

See also www.goilin.com/ which has links for a number of the other regular singing sessions around the country.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 11:30 AM

try Kenmare,kerry, crowleys bar,and other sessions.
ballydehob co cork, every friday, open session.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 11:43 AM

the Derry singing session organised by Jim McFarland is the first Thurs of each month upstairs at Tinneys pub off the Strand Rd. there is a notice of it elsewhere on Mudcat

annual bluegrass festival at Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh the first weekend in Sept.

these are in my neck of the woods, but as for the various events others have posted here, it looks like I'm going to have to board my hounds nearly every weekend!

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Frank_Finn
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 12:06 PM

In addition to what was listed previously,
Sligo Traditional Singers will have their monthly session on 9th of Sept.
Boyle will be on 3rd Saturday which should be 19th September

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 12:25 PM

The Howth Singer's Circle will be "Spillin' the Behans" Thurs Sept 3rd. A night of songs, poetry and stories from Brendan and Dominic Behan, their parents Stephen and Kathleen and uncle Peadar Kearney.
"I remember in September, when the final stumps were drawn"
Should be a good night with a cast of thousands.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Fergie
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 08:18 PM

I can guarantee that Howth Singer' Circle's "Spillin' the Behans" on Thurs Sept 3rd will be one magical night. You heard it here first, this night is not to be missed. This session will go down in legend as the definitive Behan night of all Behan night's. Fear a tí will be Ireland's greatest and acknowledge expert on the singing and songs of the Behans (his identity is being kept secret so that the innocent will remain protected). There are dozens of noted singers with intentions not to miss this night. They have been scouring Mudcat and other resources in a mighty collective endeavour to resurrect even the most obscure of the Behan songs. Be warned there will be BLOOD. Well Behans In Tomato Sauce anyway. DON'T MISS IT.

Fergus

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,OLD TIMER
Date: 21 Jul 09 - 11:48 AM

There is a Johnny Keenan Bango Festicle on in Longford around then and has a well balanced mix of song , dance & tunes from all sorts of places ,Kansas to Kanturk or Kinvara to Kentucky and your chances thrown in as well ,
Is maith is caoimhn liom , OLDTIMER

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 08:32 PM

Thanks all, fantastic!

Any more?

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Frank_Finn
Date: 22 Jul 09 - 08:37 PM

No. Thats enough fun and excitement for you!!!!

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 07:11 AM

Nooo, can never have enough.. :0

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Gulliver
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 07:25 AM

This is a corrected link to the Clé Club mentioned above:

http://cleclub.wetpaint.com/

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 10:06 AM

Skibbereen Singers' Club
Bean An Tí Áine Meirbhic. William. Corner Bar, Skibbereen, West Cork, Ireland Tel:[phone] email. Singers club; [e-mail]. pp7986248b.jpg.
www.skibbsingers.com/ - Cached - Similar

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 10:09 AM

Irish Traditional Singers' Sessions



Singers' Sessions (Seisiuns)

Singers' sessions (also known as singers' clubs or singers' circles) are slow variants of the Irish traditional music session; however the dominant mode is not instrumental music so much as the human voice in song. Each session is unique, with its own rules and dynamics. Some charge a fee, others are free of charge. Some do not allow musical instruments at all. Others do, provided they do not overpower the songs. Some sessions insist only Irish traditional songs be sung. Others are more lenient. If uncertain what the rules are for the session in your area, feel free to attend and ask.

It is not possible for me to visit every session on this list. The information below comes from various sources: websites; magazines; email; and personal contact with attendees. Special thanks in particular go to Arnold Fieldman, who has been dogged in running down various contacts, addresses, phone numbers, etc. for me. I could not have had a list as full or as accurate without him. This information is as accurate as I could make it; still it is always advisable to confirm with the contact listed. All the information is subject to change. I offer no guarantees of completeness. If you know of other sessions that should be on this list but are not, feel free to contact me with the particulars. If you attend any singers' sessions (whether or not they are on this list), feel free to contact me and share your experiences.

Important dialing information for North Americans calling the island of Ireland: for sessions in Northern Ireland, calls from the western hemisphere should be dialed by using the international access code (011), the country code for the United Kingdom (44), the area code for Northern Ireland (028, omitting the initial zero), then the local number. So, for the Traditional Singers' Club in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Americans and Canadians would dial 011-44-28-21771610. When calling within Northern Ireland, omit the 011 and 44, restore the initial 0 to 28 (thus, 028), then the local number. Thus the same Cushendall session from elsewhere in Northern Ireland could be reached by dialing 028-21771610.

The system works similarly when dialing the Republic of Ireland: from North America first dial the international code 011, then the country code for Ireland (353), then the area code (minus the initial 0) and the local number. For example, when calling the Crusheen Singers Session, dial 011-353-65-6827322. After one arrives in Ireland, omit the 011 and 353 and restore the area code's initial 0. That same Crusheen session would be dialed 065-6827322 from another location in the Republic. Don't be surprised if there is a recording indicating that the area code has been changed, as Ireland is in the process of upgrading their telephone system.

All county designations below are within the Republic of Ireland unless the notation "Northern Ireland" appears.                                                                  



Co. Antrim


The Traditional Singers' Club
McCollam's Bar (sometimes called "Johnny Joe's" locally)
Mill Street
Cushendall, Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland
Contact: Mick Quinn
27 Chapel Road
Cushendall, Antrim, BT44 0RS
Phone: [phone]
Alternate contact: Evelyn McCurry (Antrim Glens Traditions Group)
Alternate Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.glenstraditions.utvinternet.com/events.html
Singers' sessions are held on the second Friday of the month, except
December and January. Exceptions are
possible, so a call ahead for confirmation is advised. No guitars please!

Co. Armagh


Ring of Gullion C.C.E.
The Welcome Inn
Forkhill, Co. Armagh
Northern Ireland
Contact: Martin Campbell
Email: [e-mail]
Musicians and singers session meets each Tuesday night.

Co. Clare

Crusheen Singers' Club
Highway Pub
Ennis Road
Crusheen, Co. Clare
Contact: Frank Hayes or John Madden
Phone: [phone] (Frank) or 86 1517744 (John)
Email: [e-mail]
Held on the second Wednesday of the month. The session
consists of unaccompanied singing of mainly traditional or folk songs.
All singers and listeners are welcome. Occasionally instruments are allowed
by pre-arrangement. From time to time they host special guest
singers/musicians.


Doonbeg Singers Club
Comerford's Bar
Doonbeg, Co. Clare
Contact: Ita Comerford
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Session is held October to April on the third Friday of the month.

Ennis Singers' Club
Cois na hAbhna (Clare Comhaltas Centre)
Gort Road
Ennis, Co. Clare
Contact: Peadar McNamara
Magowna, Inch, Kilmaley, Co. Clare
Phone: [phone] (home)
087 221 5571 (cell)
Email: [e-mail]
Session meets around 9:00 PM the second Friday of each month. The newly
renovated centre has a comfortable bar - with lower
club prices for drinks. The club hosts the Singers Club at the annual
Fleadh Nua at the end of May.

Shannon Singers Club
Old GAA Bar (Wolfe Tone's)
Shannon, Co. Clare
Contact: Kieran Kirby
Phone: [phone] [OR] cell 087 7985158
Email: [e-mail]
Session meets first Wednesday of the month around 9:30 PM. Unaccompanied
singers and singer/guitarists welcome. This is an
open session, so come on in and sing a song. Listeners also welcome.
Admission free.

Spancil Hill Singers' Club
Duggan's Bar
Spancil Hill, Co. Clare
Contact: Robbie McMahon
Phone: [phone]
The Spancil Hill group meets the first Friday of the month. Duggan's is
about six miles east of Ennis on the road to Tulla.

Loch Deirge Singers Club
Lucas' Bar
Whitegate, Co. Clare
Contact: Peneleapaì Nì Tsung (Penelope Chung).
Phone: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Meets in Lucas' Pub in Whitegate village on Saturday Night 9 pm until midnight during February, April, August, October, and December. In addition, meets in Keanes' Pub in Whitegate village in first Monday bank holiday in June. Please call or email to confirm session before heading out.

Co. Cork

Cork Singing Club
An Spailpin Fanach
28 South Main Street
Cork , Co. , Cork
Phone: [phone]
The Singing Club meets upstairs every Sunday.


Skibbereen Singers' Club
O'Brien's Corner Bar
37 Bridge Street
Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Contact: Aine Meirbhic
Phone: [phone] or 028 22541
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.skibbsingers.com
Singers' session held first Friday of the month throughout the year.



Co. Derry

Derry Traditional Singers' Club

Tinneys Pub

Patrick Street (off Strand Road )

Derry, Co. Derry

Contact: Jim MacFarland

Email: [e-mail]

Meets the first Thursday of every month, 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM . The session host, Jim MacFarland, was involved in running the Goilin session in Dublin (see below) for many years. Respectful listeners and beginning singers are as welcome as long-time traditional singers.


Co. Donegal

Inishowen Traditional Singers Circle
McFeeley's Bar
Clonmany, Co. Donegal
Contacts: Brian Doyle/Grace Toland [OR] Kevin Mc Gonigle
Phone: [phone](Brian and Grace) [OR]
74 93 7896 (Kevin)
Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.tradsongs.com/inishowenseminar.htm
The session meets the second Friday of the month at 9:30 PM. Visitors
are always welcome and encouraged to sing. There is
no fee or charge associated with the monthly sessions. The Session also
organizes an annual weekend-long seminar
on the weekend following St. Patrick's weekend in March (see under
Festivals). They charge a registration fee for the
weekend, but "There are no restrictions other than your ability to go
without sleep for a few days and consume copious
amounts of Arthur Guinness!"

Co. Down

Portadown Folk Song Club
Contact: Rodney Cordner
21 Tandaragee Road
Portadown, Co. Down
Northern Ireland BT63 2BQ
Phone [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.folksongclub.co.uk
This venue apparently has occasional singing sessions but primarily
presents professional (folk) singers in concert every
Sunday at Joe Mac's Pub on High Street.

Co. Dublin


An Goilin Traditional Singers Club
Teachers' Club,
Parnell Square.
Dublin 1, Ireland
Contact: Antaine O'Farachain
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Web site: http://www.goilin.com
Begun in 1979, this is the daddy of all Irish singers' sessions. Meets every Friday, September to June at 9:30 PM Irish Time (around 9:45 PM) except the weekend of the Inishowen Festival (see Festivals and Workshops listings) and June Bank Holiday weekend. Cost: 3.00 Euros.

Fingal Singers' Club
Old Town House Pub
Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin
Contact: Dave O' Connor, Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin
Phone: [phone] (or cell phone [phone])
Email: [e-mail]
Ballyboughal (sometimes spelled Ballyboghill) is 8 miles northwest of
Dublin airport. Session meets every Tuesday. Some
instrumental tunes are featured, but primarily good, solid fun singing.

Howth Singers' Club
Howth Sea Angling Club
West Pier
Howth, Co. Dublin
Contact: Francis Devine
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Meets first Thursday of the month. No meeting in August. Sometimes have
special events on other evenings.
Most worthy of note is Burns Night on the third Thursday in January
(complete with haggis and the St. Lawrence Pipe Band).
They also run events during the Howth Festival, Beann Éadair Beo each July.

Co. Galway

Ballinasloe Singers Circle
Clarke's Dunloe Tavern
Dunloe Street
Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Contact: Damien Clarke, Prop.
Phone: [phone] (or) 086 1704241 (cell)
Session meets second Thursday of the month around 10 PM .

Kinvara Singers Circle
Greene's Bar
Kinvara, Co. Galway
Contact: Caoilte Breatlach
Phone: [phone] (Caoilte)
091 637110 (Greene's Bar)
Email: [e-mail]
Session meets the first Monday of the month.

Na Fonnadoiri Galway Traditional Singers Circle
Crane Bar
Sea Road
Galway, Co. Galway
Email: [e-mail] [or] [e-mail]
Website: http://galwaysingers.tripod.com
Session meets the third Saturday of each month (except July and August).
Normal admission fee is two euros, although a
higher fee may be charged for guest singers (invited three to five times
per year).

Shanaglish Singers Club
Whalen's Bar
Shanaglish, Co. Galway
Contact: Joe Kearney
Phone: [phone]
Session meets last Friday of the month. Shanaglish is between Crusheen
(Clare) and Gort (Co. Galway).

Kerry

John Benny Moriarty's Pub
Strand Street
Dingle (An Daingean), Co. Kerry
Contact: John Benny & Eilis Moriarty
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.johnbennyspub.com
John Benny's is managed by John Benny & Eilis Kennedy. Both are
musicians and singers themselves, ensuring that taking a
part in the music session is what it is all about. Singing Session is
held Wednesday nights beginning about 9:30 PM .

Club an Dreoilin
Siar O'Thuaidh (Rear of Kane's Bar)
Ballyferriter (Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry)
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://dinglearts.com
Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month around 9:30 PM .

Co. Limerick

Castleconnell Folk Club
Bradshaw's Pub
Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Contact: Larry de Cleir
Phone: [phone] (cell)
Email: [e-mail] [or] [e-mail]
"Where everybody is a special guest!" Session meets weekly on Tuesday
nights from 9:30 until around midnight .

Patrickswell Session
Punch's Bar
Main Street
Patrickswell, Co. Limerick
Contact: Denis Collins
Phone: [phone] (or cell) 087-1378552
Email: [e-mail]
Singing every Thursday at 10 PM with resident accordionist.

Thomond Singers Club
Fennessey's Pub
1 New Road
Limerick, Co. Limerick
Contact: Noirin Lynch
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Session is on the second Friday of the month from 9 PM on. Fennessey's is beside Mary Immaculate College, 1 block from Punches Cross.


West Limerick Singing Club
Ramble Inn Bar
Church St .
Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick
Phone: [phone]
Meets the first Thursday of the month. All singers and storytellers are
welcome

Co. Offaly

Ballyboy Singers
Dan and Molly's Pub
Ballyboy, Co. Offaly
Contact: Paddy Heaney [OR] Sean Brown
Phone: [phone] (Paddy) [OR] 057 91 37231 (Sean)
Session meets the last Monday of the month

Banagher Singing Circle
Willie Lyons Pub
Main Street
Banagher, Co. Offaly
Contact: Peter Keane
Phone: [phone]
Singing Club meets the third Monday of the month. The contact, Peter
Keane, is a knowledgeable, and willing, contact person
for info on all singing sessions in the vicinity--stretching out at
least as far as Ballinasloe, Co. Galway .

Bawler's Singers Club
Hiney's Pub
Ferbane, Co. Offaly
Contact: Joe Hiney
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Sessions are the second Tuesday of the month.

Crinkle Singers' Circle
The Thatched Pub
Crinkle, Birr, Co. Offaly
Contact: Sean Cooke
Phone: [phone] (Sean) OR 057 91 20682 (Pub)
Session meets first Monday of the month

Co. Roscommon

South Roscommon Singers Circle
Jimmy Murray's Pub
Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Declan Coyne
Phone: [phone] (cell)
Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.dhalonproductions.ie/
Meets the first Saturday of the month September to June (inclusive).
No formal sessions during July and August. Extra sessions are held in
February and March (on the third Saturday of the month).
Admission is free. Raffle is held at each session to cover expenses.
Special guest each night. The Circle also sponsors a
three-day singers' festival in Knockcroghery over the October Bank
Holiday weekend.

Boyle Singers' Circle
Wynne's Pub
Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Breege Duffy
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail] Website: http://boylesingers.blogspot .com/
Meeting the third Saturday of each month from 10 PM on, the session is
an informal group of singers who sing (mainly) unaccompanied in Irish or
English. Traditional, folk or other styles depend on the participants.
All singers and listeners are welcome. No standards are set and there is
no charge.

Co. Sligo


Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend (October 2-4, 2009)
Sligo City Hotel
Sligo, Co. Sligo
Contact: Frank Finn Phone: [phone] (Home), 085 1745625 (Mobile)
Email: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.sligotradsingers.ie
A weekend long event of singing workshops, informal singing sessions, audio
and video presentations, scholarly talks and a field trip. A top class
line-up of the finest singers in Ireland and abroad. Check website for
details.


Co. Tipperary

Killea Singers Club
O'Sullivan's Pub
Killea, Templemore, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Moll Tracey
Phone: [phone]
Session held on the second Monday of the month.

Silvermines Singers Circle
Hickey's Pub
Silvermines, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Jim Quirke
Phone: [phone] (Jim) or 067 25003 (Pub)
Silvermines has only one pub, so the session should not be hard to find.
This group gathers on the last Friday of the month, October to April. It
is a new club, just getting started, so the dates of its sessions should
not be considered permanent.

Upperchurch Session
Jim O' the Mills' Pub
Upper Church, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Tom Joe Spillane
Phone: [phone]
Mixed session (tunes and songs) held every Thursday.

"It is advisable to search for the pub in the daytime as it is difficult to find it at night without a prior visit. There is no sign on the pub, and it is located outside the village. Even so, it is well worth the effort to find."



Co. Wicklow

Bray Singers' Circle
Strand Hotel
Bray, Co Wicklow.
Contact: George Henderson
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Meets 3rd Saturday of every month (all year) at 9.30 PM sharp.


Co. Westmeath

Ballynahown Singing Session
Flynn's Bar
Ballynahown, Co. Westmeath
Contact: Liam Hunt
Phone: [phone]
Singing session meets third Tuesday of the month,
September to June. All visitors and new members are heartily welcome.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 23 Jul 09 - 07:30 PM

thanks Dick.

And thanks to all. Still working on a rough (very flexible) schedule, but I'm hoping to make Nell Galvin, Tulla and Frank Harte festies, plus as many sessions as I can take in along the way.

Getting very excited! :)

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 29 Jul 09 - 06:12 PM

Just to confirm the monthly singing session in Kinvara is in Green's pub on the first Monday. No regular singing session in Crane Bar in Galway, at the moment, as far as I know.

Regards

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Gweltas
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 02:23 AM

If you find yourself in the area of Listowel, or Ballybunnion, in the North of County Kerry during your ramblings, I recommend a visit to either, or both, of the sessions listed below:

Fridays :
Singer/song writer, Mickey MacConnell and Jim Gornall play in McMunn's Bar and Restaurant, Ballybunnion, every Friday night. Check out Mickey's website here;
http://www.mickeymacconnell.com/index.html

Check out Jim here :
http://www.jimgornall.com/Page1.htm

Saturdays:
Be sure to drop into The Horseshoe Bar and Restaurant, Lower William St., Listowel,where you will hear Mickey and Jim in session every Saturday night.

Listowel Harvest Festival and Race Week (Sunday September 13th to Saturday 19th) This festival runs in conjunction with Listowel Races, one of Ireland's most popular Horse racing meetings. The Harvest Festival includes busking competitions, fun races through the streets of Listowel, the selection of the Harvest Queen and the All-Ireland Wrenboy Bands Competition (an experience not to be missed !). Pub and street entertainment is available nightly.
For further information telephone + 353 68 23036 / 23037, or check out this link :
http://www.discoverireland.ie/DI/resultsengine/IndividualResultTCS.aspx?touristItemID=74139

Perhaps some very kindly Mud Elf might turn the above links into a useable BLUE CLICKIES ?

Enjoy your visit and best wishes for finding enjoyable sessions !

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: skarpi
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 05:13 AM

And what am I doin here in Iceland , ???
if I can get all that music .............
hmmmmmmm I wonder how hard is it to get work in Ireland , for a
good man :>)

hahahaha ...


all the best Skarpi Iceland .

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 09:34 AM

skarpi,it is not as good as it was,when I first came here ,1990,I sang and played unamplified,and the majority listened.
now amplification is expected,and not many listen,they get drunk and play the goat and the music is treated with insufficient respect.
singers clubs are an exception,but they are few and far between.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Murpholly
Date: 30 Jul 09 - 02:40 PM

We shall be in Cork in September and have found that if you walk into a pub with an instrument, especially in the more village areas, you are on. If you also play the tables will be pushed back and dancing will proceed. Admittedly we shall be meeting up with some of the cousins but have had no probelms around Ballincollig, Peddlars Cross, Skibereen, Baltimore etc. And friends who were sailors and landed around Union Hall found people cycling to see and hear them some thirty miles. Enjoy

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 11:40 AM

murpholly,
I live in the area you are talking about,and in my experience there are two levels.
unpaid sessions /get togethers/singarounds[unamplified] these are generally better and respect is shown.
the majority of paid gigs[apart from singers clubs],where Wild rover,kilgarry mountains,and more commercial side of folk is expected,some of these attending are young and intent on getting langers,and treat the amplified music like wallpaper,
I recently did a gig like this in Skibbereen,and some drunken idiot turned the speaker round[it nearly fell on me].
that would never have happened 15 years ago
I speak [sadly] from experience.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,peneleapaí
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 12:42 PM

Hey ho, just an update... you may not need or care for, but if you are ever in the area.. SINGERs CLUB Loch Deirge meets generally in Whitegate village for a session (9pm til round midnite) in
Oct,
Dec,
Feb,
and April.

June we meet on the bank holiday Monday (2:30 til 6 pm)
as an event on the last official day of InisCealtra Festival of Arts in the village of Mtshannon. Keanes pub. Bring your camera. Pretty harbour village, etc.. children and flowers and all sorts of humans out (+usually good weather!!)

August we meet on the bank holiday Monday (9 pm til midnight again)
as the day after the weekend Scarriff Harbour Festival, in the village of Scariff. Ryans pub.

At all of these sessions, there are refreshments courtesy of Dermot O Kelly (Lucas' pub, Whitegate), InisCealtra Arts Festival, and Michael Ryan (Ryans in Scariff). Also, FAMILIES and children are a regular feature, as are musicians (ie "non-singers") who like to be there! Traditional singing is the staple menu here (as are recitations and dramatic pieces, poems, etc) but so are anything sung with or without accompaniment (the company will sing along whenever it can!!) in any genre. It is open to all, inclusive, and (menat to be) encouraging. In the name of the fun + open-heart experience, as well as mighty craic of the unpredictable variety. If anyone is stuck for a bed for the night just contact beforehand. Agus tá Gaeilge agus FÁILTE mór ann. So there now!

Can contact Peneleapaí Ní Tsung (an Bean a' Tí) at 087-743.783.7 in Ireland
Also, [e-mail]
a href="[e-mail]">[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,Learaí na Láibe
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 10:28 AM

Please be wary around tourist towns. Be suspicious when you see signs that advertise "Trad, Ballads & Folk". You'll probably be treated to the one man ballad band singing the same oul songs year in year out. Anything from the Clancys or the Dubliners will do with an odd song recorded by Christy for a bit of variety. Basically the same menu in every venue.

Cork Singers' Club takes a break for the Summer and doesn't normally get going until after the Cork Folk Festival in early October.

If you're in Cork at the beginning of the week there's a unique session every Tuesday in O'Connors' Glanmire, 5 miles from city. Trad music and songs. Singing can be anything from sean-nós to grand opera.

Capt. Birdseye, thanks for that comprehensive list. Must file it away.

Enjoy you stay Suegorgeous. Don't be too disapointed if you find the country very Americanised.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 12:55 PM

Enjoy you stay Suegorgeous. Don't be too disapointed if you find the country very Americanised.[end of quote ]
its making me suicidal,I am staying at home and playing/singing purely for my own benefit.
dont get me wrong, I love American traditional music.,its not so much Americanisation,as wallpaperisation,thats getting me.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 06:54 PM

My own quote
"Don't be too disappointed if you find the country very Americanised." unquote.

Didn't mean to sound anti-American. We tend to closely follow fashions. both good and bad, from the other side of the ocean. Getting slightly off-topic though.

Thanks be to God the weather's improved a little.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 05 Aug 09 - 07:04 PM

Perhaps more a case of shamrockisation? whatever you call it.... I tend to have a nose for these things, so can avoid them. And this is one reason I started this thread - I hoped there would be some people on the ground who'd let me know about some of the good stuff, so thanks to them.

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 07:12 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: GUEST,Francy Devine
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 01:46 PM

Howth Singing Circle starts again on Thursday, 3 September with Tony McGaley & AN Other paying tribute to Dominic & Brendan Behan, although any songs may be sung.

As on any first Thursday of the month, we meet in Howth Sea Angling Club, West Pier, Howth [just around corner from DART Station]from 9pm

We sing tomorrow, 8 August, with An Goilin, from 3-6 in the Angling Club as a mid-summer session with proceeds to St Francis Hospice, Raheny

Any one is welcome and you'll find contact details in the listing of Irish clubs above

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 09:44 PM

Final refresh! - as I'm off on the ferry first thing Thursday. Any final tips? (Hope to get to some of the sessions already mentioned.)

Subject: RE: Any good events in Ireland in Sept?
From: Fergie
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 06:21 AM

Final tip. Get to the Góilín Club at the Teachers' Club, Parnell Square. Dublin 1. on Friday night. Starts about 9.45pm and you will hear the best unaccompanied traditional singing to be had. Need direction just PM me. Below is a link to the website

Góilín

Fergus Russell